News, observations and reader questions about the Sacramento Kings and the NBA.

December 14, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY - Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Kings cut a 24-point deficit to five with 3:21 to play, but it was too much for the Kings to overcome.

After a third quarter that featured the starters' inability to run the offense, share the ball and take quality shots, Kings coach Keith Smart used back ups most of the fourth quarter.

Thomas, Jimmer Fredette, Chuck Hayes, James Johnson and Thomas Ronbison played most of the fourth quarter and forced the Thunder to bring back three starters to close the game.

Thomas finished with 26 points. His fourth-quarter total was just short of the Sacramento-era record for most in a quarter by a Kings. Mitch Richmond had 25 points in a quarter Dec. 15, 1995 at Houston.

Tyreke Evans had 21 points for the Kings (7-15), who have now lost three in a row after a three-game winning streak.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 31 points. Russell Westbrook had 13 points and 13 assists for the Thunder (19-4).

THIRD QUARTER
Thunder 82, Kings 68

OKLAHOMA CITY - Kings coach Keith Smart was quite upset with his team's execution, or lack thereof, during a third quarter timeout.

He spent an entire 20-second timeout getting into his players after calling plays and having them not run and the team settling for contested shots.

The quarter started out well with a 7-0 run by the Kings, but the led was never cut to single digits.

The Kings look much better on offense when more than one or two players touch the ball, but too often they are caught dribbling into traffic or taking and taking wild shots under duress.

Tyreke Evan has 20 points to lead the Kings.

Kevin Durant has 25 points for the Thunder.

HALFTIME
Thunder 61, Kings 42

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Thunder doubled-up the Kings, 32-16 in the second period.

The Thunder used a 22-4 run to blow the game open and take a 56-36 lead with 2:37 left in the quarter.

The Kings, meanwhile, struggled to figure out what they were doing on offense. Sacramento shot 5 of 16 in the quarter and for the half have only six assists (two fewer than Thunder guard Russell Westbrook).